The final designs of the Hope Probe, the Arab World’s first interplanetary mission, were unveiled at the World Government Summit in Dubai.

The KalifaSat-2 build underway. Photo is courtesy of MBRSC.

Details of the much-discussed Mars 2117 plan, which aims to create the first human settlement on Mars, and UAE’s astronaut program, which will train Emiratis in space exploration, were also discussed. The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MSRBC) also released plans of the ‘KhalifaSat,’ its third and the UAE’s first completely indigenously built-satellite.

The Hope Mars mission aims to provide a holistic study of the Martian atmosphere on a diurnal and seasonal timescale to identify the main factors of the escape of hydrogen and Oxygen the building blocks of water. It is a three-meter tall probe with 600 KW solar panels and will embark soon, on its 55-million-kilometer journey to the Red Planet. Other key features of the interplanetary probe include state-of-the-art spectrometers and imagers that will capture crucial information on the Martian atmosphere and climate.

The Hope Mars mission probe. Photo is courtesy of MSBRC.

Mars 2117 which aims to make the first human settlement on Mars by 2117, is a part of MSBRC’s mission to train, empower and inspire Emiratis into all disciplines of scientific research especially astronomy and outer space exploration. The 2117 Mars initiative is a long-term project, which will first help develop our education, universities and research centers that will empower young Emiratis to enter all disciplines of scientific research field. Furthermore, the project will enable the UAE to play a pioneering role in developing life systems on other planets through research, and testing lifestyles on Mars, as well as providing the best solutions to establish the first human settlement on the Red Planet.

The MBRSC, started in 2006 under the directive of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to inspire an entirely new generation of scientists to pursue space exploration and contribute to UAE’s move towards a knowledge-based economy. The UAE Astronaut Program has already received more than 170 applications for STEM candidates between the average ages of 20 to 40 with the youngest being 17 and oldest being 58.

H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, said that the Arab world has a long-standing history with space studies and astronomy, with many early pioneers in the field. This rich heritage continues to power our future through numerous space exploration endeavors, which will establish a lasting legacy for future generations of Emiratis as well as providing inspiration for the region. We are proud to see the UAE among the top nine countries worldwide for space science investments. As relative newcomers to the global space sector, this success is indicative of our consistent efforts to push boundaries and further establish the UAE as the heart of an Arab scientific future.

Omran Sharaf, Project Manager of Emirates Mars Mission, added that the Mars 2117 program and the Hope Mars Probe are projects of great importance, as they further boost the UAE’s presence among the international space community. The Emirates Mars Mission will give this region the first truly global picture of the Martian atmosphere and reflect the country's vision for science and technology fields development. With these projects, a new journey has begun that will last for decades to come and will speed up human endeavors to explore other planets.

Explaining the mandate of MBRSC, Mariam Al Shamsi, Head of Science at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre noted that the space sector is a strategic component in transforming the UAE from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based one. By fostering a generation of young, highly skilled Emirati space leaders who are empowered to shape our space future, we will be able to actively contribute to growing the UAE space economy that creates highly developed scientific and engineering jobs with the proven ability and competence in the field of space manufacturing.